I test drove, before I bought my Avocet. Its not bad, although not what I was looking for. It does, IMO, colour the sound it passes. There is a slight 2-5k boost if I remember correctly. Nothing major, maybe only .5db or so. But it was enough for me pass on it. However I know a few of people quite happy with it.

The other one to check out in that price range is the presonus Central control. I have not tried it but, but again know a few happy users.

Anyway thats just my 2 cents I hope this helps.

Thanks, Link. You are right, I would not like .5 db boost either.
I know the presonus Central control, it is passive and quite accurate.
I was just curious if Mackie managed to make table top control of good
quality...

I would say typically mackie quality, nothing to drool over, but for the price point not to shabby.

Anyway if your budget is slightly larger check out dangerous music:
http://www.dangerousmusic.com/stsr.html

or the Cranesong Avocet:
http://www.cranesong.com/AVOCET.html

Which I am very much in love with!

Link,
I'm sure you enjoy the Avocet, no doubt. For me the Avocet
would be an overshot. In Dangerous Music ST I don't like idea
of using the snakes in this case. So, I think I'll check out the
Presonus Central, if I don't like haw it sounds I can always send
it back. Thanks for the info.

I have the Big Knob and I'm very happy with it. Basically, the Central Station is about twice the price of the Big Knob when you include the remote, and I just couldn't justify the extra money.

But I must say I went from the Samson C-control to the Big Knob, and that is a massive step up in quality. The color that the Samson imparts on the sound is obscene. The Big Knob is totally transparent in comparison.

If you want a passive level control for active monitors, try the SM Pro Audio M-Patch2.

Thanks for additional info, guys. Appreciate it.

MPatch2

I have to admit that I'm extremely disappointed with the MPatch - the biggest problem being a level mismatch between both channels, which is even frequency-dependant.

So I'm also on the lookout for some monitor controller - does anyone know the Presonus Monitor Station, btw?

Rainer

I recently picked up a big knob.

I was using a pro-co switcher for a/b-ing monitors and running headphones through my console.

I got a new bass management system and decided to try a monitoring system that handled everything.

Don't let anyone fool you - using ANYTHING to monitor with that has a volume knob and a transformer inside it will color the sound somewhat.

I tested the presonus first and didn't like the control features, the price was higher and the foot print not as nice to work with.

Go listen to the big knob, it's very small and logically laid out and a good bang for the buck.

Or you could spend a few grand and go with a Dangerous Audio system.

"I recently picked up a big knob."
RemyRAD could have a field day with that statement...

To be honest, I would do without a control surface but that's me. So long as I have some means of turning the speakers down...but I neither have a studio, or any form of budget allowed.

nice! didnt even read it....

The whole "big knob" thing just seems to be surrounded by immature (but still funny) comments about whatever.

"the big knob, it's very small"
Hmm. Decisive.

:lol:

likea45 wrote: I tested the presonus first and didn't like the control features, the price was higher and the foot print not as nice to work with.

Do you mean the central station or their new desktop version?

I've found absolutely no gripes whatsoever with the central station. In fact, the DA conversion on it is friggin awesome sounding.

Also, their service has been absolutely excelleng. I had a bad pot in the remote after about 4 months - sent it off and had it replaced quite promptly.

J.

Costy wrote: Thanks, Link. You are right, I would not like .5 db boost either.
I know the presonus Central control, it is passive and quite accurate.
I was just curious if Mackie managed to make table top control of good
quality...

Considering the ear does not hear with that kind of resolution, that the Mackie IS flat, this is likely attributed to something else.

BTW, the Avocet's quality is not much to speak of. One came to the studio I used to work for not long ago. It malfunctioned out of the box. It took an act of God to get the issue resolved. That was done by returning the unit.

Judging by the sheer numbers of units made and sold vs the Avolcet, I would say Mackie's reliability and build quality are much better on average.

That said, the Mackie and the Presonus do something to the sound, and I don't like it. I also had a Presonus burn up. Service was quick on that one.

I know this is way off the budget thing, but I bought the
SPL SMC2489, and have never looked back.
Granted the 2489 is for 5.1 with no talkback or cue, the SPL SMC 2381 might fit the bill:
http://www.spl-usa.com/mtc/mtc_E.html

Big nob....big no

Yeah the big nob difinitely adds colour to the signal because it's an active signal path. You need to look into a completely clean passive signal path to get a pure signal. The Dangerous music unit is extremely nice. I upgraded to it from a central station that I ugraded to from a big nob, and I'm completly happy with it. Also check out The Dangerous music 2-Bus analog summing mixer... absolutely amazing results for the money spent.